March 2019

Whether you want to enjoy a quiet drink or an evening of dancing, San Diego has numerous options

Rooftop bars

Warm, sunny weather makes San Diego a great place to enjoy dinner or cocktails outdoors. Check out some of the city’s best rooftop bars for day or evening drinks with stunning views of the city and surrounding hills.

Kettner Exchange
2001 Kettner Boulevard, Little Italy
619-255-2001www.kettnerexchange.com
The newest San Diego rooftop bar, Kettner Exchange has a nautical theme, paying tribute to early 1900s Congressman William Kettner, the man responsible for bringing the Navy to San Diego and dredging the harbor to accommodate larger ships. The first rooftop bar in Little Italy, Kettner Exchange features cabanas equipped with their own wet bars, flat screen TVs, and taps for a private keg.

Level 9 Bar
Hotel Indigo San Diego, Gaslamp Quarter
509 9th Avenue
619-727-4000www.hotelinsd.com
Level 9 Bar offers sweeping views of the city and nearby Petco Park with a wide selection of cocktails, wine, and locally crafted Karl Strauss beers. The bar also offers a variety of “innocent cocktails”—handcrafted drinks for those who would like to indulge without the alcohol. Comfortable seating and fireplaces offer a hip yet relaxed atmosphere.

The Rooftop by STK
600 F Streetwww.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/california/andaz-san-diego/sanas
Located in the Andaz Hyatt property downtown, The Rooftop by STK caters to all types of people, serving breakfast as early as 6:30 a.m. and turning into a late-night dance club open until midnight Friday and Saturday.

Gaslamp Quarter
The Gaslamp Quarter is San Diego’s dining, entertainment, and shopping destination. This small neighborhood features a wide array of shops, boutiques, hotels, restaurants, bars, and more, right in the heart of the city. Explore some of these local favorite Gaslamp Quarter nightlife offerings.

Vin De Syrah Spirit & Wine Parlor
901 5th Avenue
619-234-4166www.syrahwineparlor.com
A classy wine bar and one of San Diego’s hotspots, Vin De Syrah is best known for its weekly wine tastings, perfect for wine enthusiasts and novice wine drinkers alike. Guests can enjoy a selection of wines chosen by the resident sommelier paired with handcrafted canapés from the bar’s charcuterie station.

The Tipsy Crow
770 5th Avenue
619-338-9300www.thetipsycrow.com
San Diego’s longest-standing bar, the Tipsy Crow blends classic décor with upscale service for a truly old-world experience. The Tipsy Crow has three levels, each with its own atmosphere. With a pub-like feel, the main level is perfect for a game of shuffleboard or sipping on a craft beer. The underground level features dancing, DJs, and live music, while the Nest, on the upper level, features hardwood floors and rich leather furniture that creates an intimate and indulgent lounge experience.

Bang Bang
526 Market Street
619-677-2264www.bangbangsd.com
This establishment doubles as an Asian restaurant serving a wide selection of sushi on one side and a club with the West Coast’s largest disco ball on the other. The venue opens at 5 p.m. on Wednesday through Sunday.

Omnia
454 6th Avenue
619-544-9500www.omniaclubs.com/san-diego
If you’re looking for something in the realm of a swanky dance club, Omnia in the Gaslamp Quarter is open at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday.

Music venues

San Diego has a variety of music venues that showcase everything from the biggest entertainment stars to local up-and-coming bands. Check out the live music offerings at some of the city’s most popular clubs.

The Shout House
655 4th Avenue
619-231-6700www.theshouthouse.com
Voted San Diego’s best live music venue by CitySearch, the Shout House features dueling piano players and singers performing classic rock and roll hits from the 1950s to the present at two face-to-face grand pianos. Driven by audience requests, the music, entertainment, and comedy are not to be missed.

The Casbah
2501 Kettner Boulevard, Middletown
619-232-4355www.casbahmusic.com
One of the most renowned California live music clubs, the Casbah has a reputation as a champion of local and up-and-coming bands. Owner Tim Mays has supported and promoted local music since the mid-1980s, and the small, intimate space offers guests the chance to get close to performing artists.

Prohibition
548 5th Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter
619-501-1919www.prohibitionsd.com
A 1920s-era lounge, Prohibition is “a beacon for those who feel that a dram of alcohol is not meant as merely a vessel for intoxication, but a sensory experience all its own,” according to the bar’s website. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., the small speakeasy features a live jazz band each night starting at 9 p.m.